Aston Villa fans were optimistic before Martin O'Neill's first home game of the season - but there were no dreams of the Champions League just yet.

Villa might have got their man in the close season - a man who attracted an almost full house at Villa Park last night - but the general view seemed to be there was still much work to do before the club could return to the glory days.

Many fans going to Villa Park last night admitted they may have not made the rain-soaked journey to Aston if O'Neill had not been in the managerial hot seat.

And for some the journey was longer than others.

Chris Keel, a head chef from Southampton, said: "I usually go to the first home game of the season but I am not sure whether I would have come had it not been O'Neill's first game.

"I am hopeful Villa will finish in the top ten next season. I think O'Neill will get the most out of the players."

Caroline Withers, who travelled with Mr Keel, said: "I think we could be pushing for Europe in three years, but not yet. But Martin O'Neill is one of the best managers in Britain. So things are certainly looking up for the Villa."

Eddie Gough, who travelled from his Shrewsbury home with five-year-old son Regan and wife Michelle, said: "I don't think anyone who went to Arsenal on Saturday is under any illusions this will be a brilliant season for Villa.

"We could finish in the top ten at best. But I am glad O'Neill has not been able to buy any new players because he will have to make do with the players he has got. So we will now find out whether he is as good as O'Leary was."

Nick Hobday, a sales manager from Streetly, said: "I am a season ticket holder so I would have probably still come tonight if O'Leary was still manager but I am looking forward to the season much more now O'Neill has come.

"I think Villa will finish in the top ten, which is not brilliant but better than last year.

"O'Neill will have success at Villa, but it is not going to happen as quickly as many fans think it will."

His friend Stuart Childs, aged 28, who also lives in Streetly, said: "I am a Wolves fan. I think there are some decent players at the Villa.

"As a neutral I can see them finishing in the top ten. O'Neill is a very good manager for the club and it is going to be very interesting this season for Villa fans."